Question

Respected Sir, Please translate the following passage from the play" the merchant of venice by Shakespeare:- Portia: do you confess the bond Antonio: I do Portia: then musty the Jew be merciful Shylock: on what compulsion must I? Tell me that Portia: the quality of mercy is not strained It droppeth as gentle rain from heaven . Upon the place beneath, it twice bless’d It blesseth him that gives and him that takes ‘tis mightiest in the mightiest , it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown His scepter shows the force of Temporal power, The attributeto awe and majesty, Wherein sit the dread and fear of kings, But mercy is above this sceptr’d away, It is enthronedin the hearts of kings, ’it is an attribute to god himself. And earthly powerdoth then show likest god’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore , Jew ,though justice be thy plea consider this- That in the cource of justice none of us Should see salvation :we do pray for mercy ;l And that same prayer doth teach us all to render; The deeds of mercy . I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea Which if thou follow ,this strict court of venice must needs give sentences against the merchant there.

Answer 1

mercy is something that should come from within and not when forced, just like the way the rains pours down to earth. It has a double blessing because both who receives and shows it benefits. This mercy is seen in a person who is the mightiest or it is a characteristic that great men possess. this quality of mercy suits the king more than his crown. Mercy is a quality that is even more powerful than the sceptre of the king. The power of mercy above all earthly powers. This is a quality that gods have themselves. Therefore on these grounds Portia tells Shylock to show mercy on Antonio.